LOXAHATCHEE, FL - A new tag team enters the fresh produce ring. J&J Family of Farms, a locally grown, nationally-known marketer and distributor of fresh produce, announced today a new partnership with Tifton, Georgia-based Lewis Taylor Farms. With a new alliance formed, Lewis Taylor Farms brings superior production with 6,500 acres of produce as well as 81 greenhouses for 275 million vegetable transplants and 65 million pine tree seedlings.
According to the press release, J&J’s new partnership with Lewis Taylor will expand its portfolio significantly in the form of greens, broccoli, mini watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew. Lewis Taylor, in turn, gains a powerful ally in the peppers, cucumbers, squash, and eggplant categories.
Lewis Taylor began farming operations in the 1930s and is now one of the largest privately-owned vegetable and greenhouse operations in the Southeast. Known for its focus on sustainable agriculture, Lewis Taylor Farms maintains the highest quality and standards to ensure the best product reaches customers.
Together, the J&J Family of Farms and Lewis Taylor Farms have more than 100 years of combined experience specializing in fresh produce and innovation. J&J Family of Farms is strategically positioned as a national supplier, with a robust line of products offered year-round to meet growing customer demand.
For more dynamic partnerships and developments, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
MONROVIA, CA - It is with great sadness that we relay the recent passing of Trader Joe’s Founder and natural foods pioneer, Joe Coulombe. An industry icon to all who followed in his footsteps, Coulombe has truly set a precedent for natural grocers everywhere. He passed away in Pasadena, California, on Friday, February 28, at the age of 89.
Coulombe was an extraordinarily smart and accomplished entrepreneur who built a company that introduced something completely different in the grocery retail space. He opened the first Trader Joe’s store in 1967 in Pasadena. Notably thrifty and insightful, Coulombe went against conventional industry norms at the time, moving away from national brands and introducing Trader Joe’s private label in 1972.
“Joe was the perfect person at the right time for Trader Joe’s,” Dan Bane, CEO of Trader Joe’s, said. “He was a brilliant thinker with a mesmerizing personality that simply galvanized all with whom he worked. He was not only our Founder, he was our first spokesperson. He starred in captivating radio ads for years, always signing off with his unique, ‘thanks for listening.’ Joe developed a cadre of leaders that carried on his vision and helped shape Trader Joe’s in the early years.”
This industry leader’s curiosity, philanthropic generosity, and irreverent sense of humor were woven into the fabric that defines Trader Joe’s stores. He retired in 1988, but that culture carried on and is evident in Trader Joe’s stores today. As noted in a press release, Coulombe has said he always believed that it is the people that set Trader Joe’s apart, and we acknowledge that started with Joe himself.
Our thoughts are with the Coulombe family and loved ones during this time of deep sadness.
FLORIDA - With how comprehensive, forward-thinking, and innovative our industry is, I can only assume the old adage, “Don’t put all your vegetables in one basket,” was first coined by someone in produce—maybe even one of Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ team members. My hunch is that it was this phrase that encouraged major growers to expand well beyond their operations in order to provide consumers with fresh produce year-round. Duda Farm Fresh Foods, a formidable California grower, is but one of many in our industry that implements this strategy to great results.
I chatted with Nichole Towell, Senior Director of Marketing, to find out how Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ Florida vegetable program complements its California and Arizona-based growing operations and strengthens its commodity lineup as a whole.
“Our Florida program helps us have surety in supply. Right now, we’re growing vegetables in Yuma, Arizona, and Florida, which helps provide peace of mind that we will be able to offer a supply of vegetables despite any problems in one area,” Nichole explained. “Additionally, Duda is one of the only companies that has an expanded lineup of leafy greens in Florida along with the other crops, which also strengthens our business.”
Duda Farm Fresh Foods is currently about a third of the way through its Florida season for corn and celery, while its leaf and lettuce season is about halfway finished. In total, the Florida program grows celery (now through late April), sweet corn (now through Memorial Day), radishes (now through May), and green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, romaine, and iceberg lettuce now through April 1. The grower also harvests citrus items like red grapefruit, white grapefruit, and honey tangerines now through April. All of these categories have, thus far, been enjoying a hotter season, Nichole revealed to me.
“There was unseasonably warm weather through winter, then short spells of large amounts of rain—normally, the rain comes in smaller amounts over a longer period,” Nichole explained. “While working with Mother Nature presents its challenges, the overall quality of the Florida crop is good, helping us to gear up our Florida Sweet Corn program for Memorial Day and continue to see growth and success in our value-added radishes.”
Nichole also noted that radishes are currently trending with consumers as an on-the-go lifestyle product, especially as we head into spring. Does this spell the beginnings of a new social media craze? AndNowUKnow will continue to keep our eyes on the skies to bring you the freshest produce news.
WASHINGTON, DC - Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will be providing almost $70 million in funding this year to support 386 projects in 48 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico under the authority of the Plant Protection Act Section 7721. Of the funding provided this year, $12.7 million will be allocated to California as part of its effort to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation, and to safeguard the U.S. nursery production system.
“California is a critical partner in protecting U.S. agriculture,” said USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach. “Through these projects, California will be able to better protect its own resources and contribute to USDA’s mission of keeping our nation’s agriculture economy healthy and strong.”
According to the USDA’s press release, these funds will support projects covering a range of plant health and pest mitigation activities in California, including the following:
- $4.8 million to survey for harmful exotic fruit fly populations in the State
- $2,731,066 to support California’s agricultural detector dog teams in searching for harmful, exotic plant pests in packages at mail and express parcel delivery facilities
- $2,507,446 to support National Clean Plant Network foundation plant stocks for citrus, grapes, fruit trees, sweet potato, and roses
- $1,837,791 to support California’s Emergency Plant Health Response Teams in responding to, delimiting the infestation area, and managing outbreaks of exotic plant pests
- $450,000 to conduct citrus pest surveys for citrus commodities
- $400,000 to survey for Asian defoliator moths
- $400,000 to support pest and disease mitigation research to protect ornamental nurseries
- $289,055 to develop tools for the identification and detection of Graminicolous downy mildews, a group of plant pathogens that threaten corn, wheat, rice, and barley crops
- $245,357 to support the development and evaluation of using a sterile insect release program to help manage navel orangeworm, which is a harmful pest to the production of many fruits and nuts
Since 2009, USDA has supported more than 4,000 projects and provided nearly $600 million in funding through the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program. Collectively, these projects allow USDA and its partners to quickly detect and rapidly respond to invasive pests and diseases. They also help our country maintain the infrastructure necessary to make sure that disease-free, certified planting materials are available to U.S. specialty crop producers.
As the United States and the world celebrate the International Year of Plant Health in 2020, this funding highlights USDA’s continued commitment to safeguarding our agricultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, click here to access the FY 2020 Plant Protection Act Section 7721 Spending Plans from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
With an investment as large as nearly $70 million, the ANUK team can't help but notice that any investment in ag is another surefire way of defending fresh produce's market share from the CPG snacking industry. As more from our industry join this fight against produce's biggest competitor, AndNowUKnow will continue to bring updates as they come.
GLENNVILLE, GA - One of the best ways that we as an industry can ensure a healthy future for fresh produce is to invest in the education of younger generations. G&R Farms’ Growing America’s Farmers™ (GAF) non-profit organization aims to do just this, and is now celebrating its five-year anniversary with the support of the National Future Farmers organization. The organization was started in 2015 due to concerns that the United States has a significant shortage of young people entering the Production Agriculture field.
“Over the years, we found that people under the age of 30 in rural areas like ours expressed very little interest in farm work. This caused me great concern because we all know that a lack of farmers could create a myriad of problems for our country," said Walt Dasher, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "Can you imagine if we experienced a food supply shortage in the United States and had to depend on foreign countries to feed our families?"
G&R Farms is seeing the results of its non-profit foundation with the support of retailer partners. Young graduates who received scholarships are returning to their family farms and bringing new technology and growing practices to continue their family’s legacies. According to a press release, many young graduates throughout America are thanking G&R Farms for their generosity on how the scholarships are helping meet their college goals and, more importantly, the opportunity to continue and improve their family farms.
“I am sincerely honored and humbled in being selected for the 2018 Ohio FFA Growing America's Fanners scholarship. This scholarship will give me the opportunity to launch my educational career, while easing the financial burden,” said Alex Kutz from Ohio, a beneficiary of GAF. “I am now more excited than ever to begin my post-secondary education at The Ohio State University this fall. I chose agriculture as my major to continue and improve upon America's leading role in the world as the most-advanced agricultural society. The FFA has been a guiding light in finding my passion. I look forward to continuing to uphold the ideals of the FFA through my future work, and much like you, I know this future will be centered on production agriculture. Through your generous donation, I hope to achieve my goals in the world of agriculture and set up a legacy my family and community will be proud of for generations.”
Molly Ball, President of the National FFA Foundation, commented, "Supporters such as G&R Farms and its customers help sustain the future of agriculture and help achieve the FFA vision of growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture."
Congratulations to G&R Farms and Walt Dasher on five years of successful ag education!
MILLEN, GA - One of the industry’s beloved fresh produce events has come to an end, and the Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) has finally announced this year's Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipient. Created to reward the achievements of young individuals who demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they pursue their educational goals, this scholarship is named after the late Terry L. Vorhees, Founder and first Executive Director of SEPC. Because of his vision and efforts, SEPC became and remains one of the best resources in the produce industry today.
According to a press release, all SEPC Scholarships are awarded to applicants who meet the application criteria of having a parent or grandparent who is a corporate member in good standing with the SEPC, which means they have been on the SEPC membership roster for at least 12 months and have personally attended at least one SEPC event within the last 12 months. The 2020 Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipient is Kaytlyn Bunting, daughter of Joseph and Aimee Bunting, United Supermarkets.
Beginning this year, SEPC Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipients will receive one $7,500 scholarship annually. Applicants must be either graduating high school seniors or enrolled as college freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors and must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Other selection factors include: letters of recommendation from high school and/or college staff, clergy, community leaders, etc.; SAT or ACT scores; community service involvement; and the quality of their essay, describing their most meaningful achievement in life and the results it brought.
Congratulations to Kaytlyn Bunting on this exciting honor!
VALENCIA, CA - There’s nothing like the fresh zip of citrus to brighten up a cold winter day. Montrealers were especially lucky because Sunkist brought a bright, garden-themed pop-up to Montreal to chase the winter blues away. The Citrus & Herb Garden offered a free, hands-on experience where more than 1,000 event attendees learned how to pair fresh California-grown Sunkist citrus with popular indoor herbs to encourage citrus consumption.
“This is a great time of year to bring a little California sunshine to Canada,” said Christina Ward, Director of Global Brand Marketing at Sunkist Growers. “By giving consumers in Montreal a taste of our California-grown citrus, we were able to showcase the versatility of our fruit through herbaceous pairings in dishes, drinks, décor, and more.”
The event took place at Le Cathcart, a newly-opened foodie destination at the Place Ville Marie. According to a press release, the indoor garden is rumored to be one of the largest Biergartens in Montreal and offers a communal and festive social atmosphere where people can come together to share real moments over culinary experiences.
Sunkist’s pop-up event featured two DIY stations, including a citrus herb garden beverage bar led by mixologist Rose Simard, and an upcycled citrus scrub station hosted by skincare and wellness expert Léa Bégin. The event space also featured a living citrus and herb wall for “Instagrammable” moments.
Winter is peak citrus season. This time of the year, the majority of Sunkist citrus varieties are in production and available to consumers, including Navel oranges, Cara Cara oranges, Blood oranges, Minneola tangelos, lemons, and mandarins.
For those that missed the Montreal event, another Sunkist Citrus & Herb Garden pop-up is scheduled to tour Toronto this spring. Will more locations pop up elsewhere? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow to find out more.
TAMPA, FL - Produce was most definitely on parade last week, bringing Mardi Gras spirit, a constant attitude of Making a Difference, and all the fruits and vegetables imaginable to Tampa for the Southeast Produce Council’s 2020 Southern Exposure.
Long before the jazz bands led red badges to the show floor, insights were being shared and goals were being achieved as the show saw more than 2,700 industry members attend its intimate floor plan of fewer than 275 booths, with over 580 buyers among them.
“This year’s Southern Exposure exceeded our expectations in every way. The Make a Difference theme was evident at all the educational sessions as well as the keynote luncheon. Tony Dungy was the perfect keynote speaker and delivered a wonderful address on finding success through helping others. There is always something special about Southern Exposure and you could feel it in the air this weekend,” David Sherrod, President and CEO of SEPC, shared with me.
Most capacity events sold out before the airplanes touched down, including Thursday’s Tom Page “Topgolf” tournament and Friday’s women-only Southern Roots luncheon. The latter had a line that many of us related to finding at a concert hall, with ticket holders excitedly waiting for the doors to open.
“When I walked out and saw that line, and what this has grown into...” Teri Miller, Senior Category Manager at The Fresh Market and one of the conceptualizers of Southern Roots, trailed off as she let the full house in front of her sink in. “You may call me Founder but I couldn’t have done it without a lot of help and so many friends.”
We proceeded to be engaged by none other than Colette Carlson, Founder of Speak Your Truth, Inc., who encouraged the room to recognize all we each do in a day and to take more credit for our achievements. I left the room feeling empowered and inspired, and from the hum and buzz around me, I was far from alone.
Friday also saw on-point educational sessions in both SEPC’s Plight of Plastics and Power of Produce 2020, back by popular demand.
While we all know the debate of plastics in our industry is a heated one, the first educational session for this year’s Southern Exposure offered an opportunity to hear about it from several angles. These angles ranged from labeling with Elizabeth Yerecic of Yerecic Label and fresh produce on the retail side as was presented by Anabella de Freeman of Walmart Stores, Inc., to the growers’ efforts and challenges which Janis McIntosh of Naturipe Farms could relate, and even a few other points and perspectives.
And while data is important, so is how to apply it and the success of that application. This is what I took away from the expertise of Target’s Director of Produce/Floral Andrew Schuster, Food Lion’s VP of Produce Category, Merchandising, and Pricing Chris Dove, and VP of Corporate Produce at Associated Wholesale Grocers, Reade Sievert. This expertise also came from those behind the data—FMI VP of Fresh Rick Stein and Principal of 210 Analytics Anne-Marie Roerink.
“This is one of my favorite sessions each year. Good useable content for both suppliers and retailers. I actually had conversations on the show floor referencing some of the content,” Diana McClean, Senior Director of Marketing at Ocean Mist Farms, reflected.
That evening we all forgot we were in Florida when we arrived to the Opening Gala Masquerade, the epitome of the New Orleans culture surrounding us as we took in a live water show in the form of a human fountain, performers on stilts, and costumed industry friends we all couldn’t recognize. Brandon Parker, Shuman Farms Sales Manager and this year’s SEPC Chairman, said it best at Saturday’s keynote luncheon: the band was too good last night!
Before introducing highly anticipated keynote Tony Dungy, NFL legendary coach and celebrated author, Brandon shared with us some of the latest initiatives the Council has implemented and program growth across the board. In the spirit of Making a Difference, he presented $25,000 in donations to organizations through SEPC Cares, adding that the Council has donated over $1.1 million overall.
It was a tough act for Coach Dungy to follow, but follow he did, and he proved why he was such a strong leader in the NFL for so long. Drawing parallels between the game field and the produce field, we heard him speak to team motivations, how being a leader is about service rather than power, and how everyone involved needs to acknowledge their SOUL in the team (Selfless, Own your role, Unified, Larger purpose.)
It is amazing how differing industries can draw amazing and beneficial parallels for the benefit of all—bringing buyers and suppliers together once again.
"SEPC's Southern Exposure is an opportunity to get connected with the latest research on key topics that we all can find growth opportunities from. The event's size and scope allow for meaningful discussions among existing relationships while also making new connections,” Drew Sullivan, Senior Category Manager, Produce, Sprouts Farmers Market, reflects. “Coach Dungy's encouragement on the 'Soul of a Team,' conveyed a clear opportunity to focus on what makes a group cohesive and successful—especially relevant in a time when our industry continues to see changes at an accelerated pace. It's so great to focus on the vibrant group of supply partners that makes the Southeast region such a vital component of the food industry. I thoroughly enjoyed this year's event and am excited to see SEPC continue to thrive!"
Raina Nelson, Executive Vice President Business Development at Renaissance Food Group and SEPC Treasurer kept the excitement and anticiaption going after the day's keynote by bringing buyers together in a parade with the SEPC team, leading up to the 2020 Southern Exposure show floor. From the moment we all stepped onto the carpet, there was a constant energy of strong connecting, networking, and elbow-to-elbow traffic as we all took in the best the Southeast has to offer this year and down the line.
It is no secret, too, that this industry is a competitive one on all levels. Let it therefore not be missed that members were challenged to bring SEPC’s themes to life and did so with gusto. Below, find the takeaways of 2020's Southern Exposure awards.
Tom Page “Topgolf” Classic Winners
- Congratulations to Trey Boyette, Tim Edmondson, and Kemp Edmondson, of SMP Southeast Marketing; Craig Shoemaker of Arby’s; Doug Classen of The Nunes Co.; and Mike Gorczyca of Pro-Act
Costume Contest Winners
- 1st Place: Gary Baker, MDI
- 2nd Place: Andrew Scott, Nickey Gregory
- 3rd Place: Leslie Simmons, Dave’s Specialty Imports
- Best Group: Shuman Farms
Booth Decorating Contest Winners
- 1st Place: DiMare Fresh
- 2nd Place: Dave's Specialty Imports
- 3rd Place: Continental Fresh
Click Connection Challenge Winners
- 1st Place: 1st Dez Forsyth (NPC)
- 2nd Place: 2nd Rene Milburn (King Fresh)
- 3rd Place: 3rd Kim Andreason (Jason's Deli)
Southern Exposure Best Themed Directory Ad
- Congratulations to King Fresh
SEPC Lifetime Membership Award Recipient
- Congratulations to Faye Westfall, DiMare Fresh, Inc.
Terry Vorhees Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
- Congratulations to Rick Estess, RPE
Overall, I am taking much more back with me than a recap story, and I trust those among the thousands in attendance did as well. What a kick-off to this year’s trade show season!
TAMPA, FL - The great thing about the proverbial bar is that there isn’t a limit to where it can be set—an advantage SUNSET® keeps on seizing as it continues to set the bar of produce innovation. In the last couple of months, SUNSET has been on a roll, adding more value to produce aisles in the way of a whole host of new products—all of which were front and center at last week’s Southern Exposure.
I chatted with Peppe Bonfiglio, VP of Sales, to learn more about SUNSET’s newest product additions and how the company and its team are innovating the greenhouse category as a whole.
“We are constantly innovating to deliver on our commitment to quality, the environment, and, above all, flavor. Whether it’s by providing more offerings in the organic and snacking category or by surprising consumers with never before seen products and packaging, our latest products truly showcase how we are leading the industry and continually exciting our consumers,” Peppe shared with me. “We are pushing the boundaries on flavor and continually revolutionizing the produce world. Our new products are no exception.”
Amongst those new product debuts include show-stoppers like Kaboom!™, Organic Wild Wonders®, WOW™ Berries, and Honey Bombs™. Each product fits into SUNSET’s mission to inspire healthy living through top-notch flavor experiences designed to thrill consumers.
“We know that people dig flavor, and by providing premium, fresh flavorful produce that excites our consumers, we are making it easier for them to make healthy eating choices. We are not just growing SUNSET, we’re also growing the category,” Peppe continued. “Our new products give consumers more of what they crave when they see the SUNSET label. Our expanding reach in the produce aisle is a testament that we are giving consumers only the best and that they want more.”
From greenhouse-grown berries to tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce, SUNSET is creating category growth across the board. And it’s not just by unveiling new products. New partnerships, operations expansions, and more are helping SUNSET position itself as a leader.
“We started pioneering high-tech berry growing in North America in 2003 and with our recent partnership with U.K.-based BerryWorld®, we have access to the best varieties in the world. Our WOW™ Berries Elevated™ premium line is truly changing consumer expectations of how a berry should taste,” Peppe noted, before diving into SUNSET’s other categories. Following the massive success of Flavor Bombs and Sugar Bombs, the new sweet-like-honey golden tomato, Honey Bombs™, offers the same high-impact Bombs™ taste experience that consumers crave and packs a crunch like no other. “We also knew that the pepper category was ripe for innovation, which is why we created new products like the Aloha™ striped peppers, Shazam!™ shishito peppers, and now our colourful, long, sweet Wild Wonders peppers and Kaboom! black jalapenos.”
In addition to new products, SUNSET is also already looking ahead to summer and preparing to launch its Sizzlin’ Sweepstakes campaign. The text-to-win campaign is designed to ignite incremental growth and includes one-of-a-kind display bins and in-store signage.
“With this campaign, our consumers will be inspired to add fresh flavor to their grill and have a chance to win some amazing prizes at the same time!” Peppe concluded.
As SUNSET continues to do what it does best—setting the bar on quality, innovation, and product ingenuity—AndNowUKnow will continue to cover the latest coming out of the greenhouse category.
UNITED STATES - Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes are coming to a few crucial shopping centers as Trader Joe’s once again silently but surely descends on key markets. After revealing expansion plans in New Jersey, California, and Arizona at the beginning of February, the beloved grocer is now kicking off March with new store announcements for New York, Oregon, and New Jersey.
Most excitingly in Trader Joe’s latest expansion round is its store slated for the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York—plans for which were just approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, according to news source 6sqft. The historic spot—known as Bridgemarket as it formerly housed an open-air market under the Queensboro Bride—will now be updated to include TJ’s iconic grocery offerings.
Over on the opposite coast—some might even call it the right coast—Portland Trader Beaus will be welcoming a new store location from their retailer of choice. Though Trader Joe’s is staying characteristically tight-lipped on the details, the grocer’s team has confirmed it will be adding a fourth location to Oregon’s weirdest town—keep Portland weird!
“While I am not able to confirm an address at this time, I can tell you that we are working to open a new Trader Joe’s store in Portland,” a TJ’s spokesperson shared with the Portland Business Journal.
Then, back over to the actual right coast, Trader Joe’s will be making moves in New Jersey once again—this time in Freehold. The grocer is expected to move into a 12,588-square-foot store, according to the Daily Voice.
Where will Trader Joe’s head next? And how do all of these stores fit into a greater expansion plan? AndNowUKnow will continue to await with bated breath with the rest of the industry.